Changes

Winter oats may be grown as an off-season [[groundcover]] and plowed under in the spring as a [[green fertilizer]].

Winter oats may be grown as an off-season [[groundcover]] and plowed under in the spring as a [[green fertilizer]].

Oats remove substantial amounts of [[nitrogen]] from the soil. They also remove phosphorous in the form of P₂O₅ at the rate of

Oats remove substantial amounts of [[nitrogen]] from the soil. They also remove phosphorous in the form of P₂O₅ at the rate of 25 pounds per bushel per acre (1 bushel = 32 pounds at 14% moisture). Oats remove potash (K₂O) at a rate of .19 pounds per bushel per acre.  If the straw is removed from the soil rather than being ploughed back, the removal rate of phosphorous is 8 pounds per ton per acre and the rate of [[potash]] removal is 40 pounds per ton per acre. Usually 50–100 kg/hectare (50–100 pounds per acre) of nitrogen in the form of [[urea]] or [[ammonia|ammonium sulphate]] is sufficient. A sufficient amount of nitrogen is particularly important for plant height and hence straw quality and yield. When the prior-year crop was a legume, or where ample manure is applied, nitrogen rates can be reduced somewhat.

.25 pounds per bushel per acre (1 bushel = 32 pounds at 14% moisture). Oats remove potash (K₂O) at a rate of .19 pounds per bushel per acre.  If the straw is removed from the soil rather than being ploughed back, the removal rate of phosphorous is 8 pounds per ton per acre and the rate of [[potash]] removal is 40 pounds per ton per acre. Usually 50–100 kg/hectare (50–100 pounds per acre) of nitrogen in the form of [[urea]] or [[ammonia|ammonium sulphate]] is sufficient. A sufficient amount of nitrogen is particularly important for plant height and hence straw quality and yield. When the prior-year crop was a legume, or where ample manure is applied, nitrogen rates can be reduced somewhat.

The vigorous growth habit of oats will tend to choke out most weeds. A few tall [[broadleaf]] weeds, such as [[ragweed]], [[goosegrass]] and [[buttonweed]] (velvetleaf), can occasionally be a problem as they complicate harvest. These can be controlled with a modest application of a broadleaf herbicide such as [[2,4-D]] while the weeds are still small.

The vigorous growth habit of oats will tend to choke out most weeds. A few tall [[broadleaf]] weeds, such as [[ragweed]], [[goosegrass]] and [[buttonweed]] (velvetleaf), can occasionally be a problem as they complicate harvest. These can be controlled with a modest application of a broadleaf herbicide such as [[2,4-D]] while the weeds are still small.